As the Pan Against Crime Programme marked its 9th anniversary in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Commissioner of Police Renold Hadaway said the programme has impacted the lives of many children and teenagers throughout the state and has revived people’s interest in the steel pan, once a diminishing art form.
Hadaway, addressing a gathering that attended the Pan Against Crime anniversary concert at Victoria Village on Sunday, said the steel pan, one of our cultural artforms, is used as a tool in the fight against crime and violence.
“This initiative, the Pan-Against Crime Programme, has impacted the lives of many children and teenagers throughout the state since its inception. They utilised their spare time learning to play the pan. It is the consensus of the people that this skill that they have harnessed has been a contributing factor to outstanding performances in Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CAPE) and other Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Examinations,” Hadaway said.
The Pan Against Crime initiative, the brainchild of Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves was launched in 2008, as the Government looked at ways to combat the 2007 upsurge in violence and crime.
This was launched on Feb. 20, 2008, after the number of homicides in 2007 reached an unprecedented 38.
Gonsalves, who holds the portfolio of Minister of National Security, and a team led by Godfred Pompey, permanent secretary in the Ministry of National Security, created a number of security initiatives, one being The Pan Against Crime Programme, which targets youths throughout the state.
This initiative’s overall strategy includes: connecting with the communities through culture, music, sports, law enforcement and education. Throughout the years, several pan sides were launched. These include but not limited to Winfresh South East Steel Orchestra of Stubbs; North Stars which started in Rose Hall but has now moved to Troumaca; New Dimensions in Lowmans Windward soon to be housed at the New Grounds Primary School: Mustique Charitable Trust Georgetown All Stars; Genesis of Largo Heights; Union Island; Canouan; Marriaqua Government School and Sandy Bay.
“This initiative and the many other initiatives undertaken by the RSVGPF (Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force) continue to impact positively on tomorrow’s generation. Let us all work together: parents, students, police and the wider community. Let us unite to curb the crime rate especially among our youths. Remember unity is strength and music unites us. As the famous playwright, William Shakespeare, stated in his play “Twelfth Night” “if music be the food of love play on,” Hadaway said.
“In conjunction with the National Commission on Crime Prevention, the RSVGPF facilitate the largest summer programme throughout the state. Accordingly, since the birth of the Pan-Against Crime Programme, hundreds of students throughout the country have mastered this once diminishing art form,” Hadaway said.
Meanwhile, George Frederick, deputy chair of the National Commission on Crime Prevention, encouraged the persons in attendance to speak out and let people know when they are on the wrong path.
Frederick warned that criminals who deprive people of their lives will face a judgment that is coming.
Area Representative for South Windward, Frederick Stephenson, appealed that domestic violence must stop.
“To many men believe they own the women of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and beat them up. This must stop,” said Stephenson, who reminded the gathering that there is a domestic bill in place that has stiff penalties for people who break the law.
The curtains came down with a scintillating performance from Winfresh South East Steel Orchestra.
I think this is a very good initiative but it is not enough as was seen by the record setting murder rate of 2016, more ventures such as building a state of the art national stadium so local athletes can develop and compete regionally and in the long run they will be awarded more scholarship opportunities in the states and Canada. The Jamaican, Bahamians, Bajans and Trinis are benefiting immensely from this so why cant we?. Also to keep youths off the streets, there should be more vocational schools throughout SVG teaching youths who are inclined to be on the streets and join gangs; skills such as carpentry, mechanics, masonry tailoring and other forms of arts and craft to give them opportunities both locally and abroad. Thought should be given to opening a school of the performing arts similar to the one in Jamaican for youths who have talents in singing,acting and dancing. Parliament should also look at introducing anti gang legislation to combat this growing scourge that is plaguing our nation and the caribbean region on a whole.